For those of us who work in Visitor Centres around Australia there must be many a time that we feel like leaping the counter and joining our travellers to share in their adventures. This week was one of those occasions  for me when I met Barry and Jean Squire from Armidale. In town with caravan, kyak and tandem bicycle, they came into the centre to find advice for a local 50 kilometre cycle ride. They chose the Kingsvale Road to Harden ...

Check and rechecking claims about our past history involving the switching on of electricity in Young this month was the Chairman of Engineering Victoria, Miles Pierce. Mr Pierce was focussing on the dates of the first switch on of Young's public electricity supply. His organisation is part of  Engineering Heritage of Australia, part of the Institution of Engineers Australia. He was delighted to find information in  the local book, Young, 120 Years of Local Government 1882-2002 and eager to meet Joyce Simpson at ...

For many years the Bartle family operated the Strand Picture Theatre in Boorowa Street at Young, which is now home to the Rivers Store. This week Albert (Toby) Bartle brought his father, Kevin, now 93 years of age, to town for a look around. A sentimental journey. How things have changed. Toby says his grandfather, Bert and his uncle Frank ran the Young cinema together. There are many happy memories for the family when they think of their former home town. It was at ...

While Sydney celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Sydney Harbour bridge opening, the milestone should not go unnoticed in Young. The bold infrastructure project, executed during the depression, and its sheer engineering triumph have all been lauded. Yet here at Young, it would be timely to spare a thought for Nancy Campbell, a keen horse woman who grew up in the area. For it was Nancy Campbell who  enabled that infamous opening of the bridge by Francis de Groot. Nancy stepped ...

Everyone is invited to join in Young's historic Lambing Flat Festival on Saturday March 31 as the town marks its turbulent gold rush history and the riots of 1861. The day-long festival begins at 10am in Aboretum Park and Captain Cook Weir with a packed program through until 6pm. Local singer and Australian Idol star Luke Dickens will perform later in the day and will be one of the highlights of the festival. Other attractions include: Cobb and Co coach ...